Magnum Mining and Exploration has released an update on its ongoing rare earth exploration work in Brazil, confirming that drilling has restarted at the prospective Palmares and Azimuth projects.

The latest operational news highlights efforts to speed up both drilling and sample processing at the two sites, following a planned shutdown over the Brazilian Recesso period.

At Palmares, the company has completed 15 reverse circulation (RC) drill-holes totalling 225m across the high-grade, near-surface Feirinha Prospect.

Early progress was slowed by rain, which restricted initial access to the drill rig.

To improve drilling productivity at Palmares, Magnum Mining intends to move to round-the-clock operations, with two RC drill crews operating in alternating 12-hour shifts.

This expanded schedule aims to significantly increase the rate of exploration.

The initial batch of samples from the Feirinha Prospect has been prepared and is ready to be sent for assaying, with results expected by the end of January.

Previous work at Feirinha returned trench samples grading up to 1.69% (16,884 parts per million) total rare earth oxides (TREO) and rock samples grading up to 1.31% TREO.

The two‑rig RC drilling campaign at Feirinha is designed to test mineralisation at or close to surface, potentially supporting a low‑cost rare earth element (REE) discovery.

At the Azimuth project, 13 auger holes have been completed for a total of 155m, with average depth increasing from 5m to 12m.

In instances where visual soil characteristics suggested favourable horizons, consistent with clay layers regionally linked to REE mineralisation, drilling was continued to greater depths.

Work at Azimuth has focused on the priority Piracanjuba prospect, where the current drilling programme has now been completed.

The first batch of samples has been delivered to ALS Laboratory for assaying, with analytical results also anticipated by January-end.

Drilling activity at Azimuth is set to accelerate in line with plans to mobilise a second auger rig and commence full-time operations.